Kansas Historical Quarterly

Soldiering on the High Plains:
The Diary of Lewis Byram Hull, 1864-1866

Edited by Myra E. Hull

THE diary of Lewis B. Hull [1] is published with no changes except the deletion of a few personal or unimportant passages and minor changes in punctuation. In transcribing the diary of her father, Myra E. Hull was impelled by two motives: Þrst, to preserve for the diarist's descendants this revelation of his life and character during a signiÞcant period; second, to make permanent and accessible his detailed, accurate, Þrst-hand information concerning a phase of American history only vaguely understood, namely, the part played by the volunteer soldier in the opening up of the Northwest, particularly the region of the high plains.

     The diary furnishes a glimpse of the þora and fauna of that vast region over which, in the sixties, still roamed millions of buffalo and vast herds of deer, elk, moose, and bear, offering royal sport to the soldier-hunter and food for his commissary. The diary also describes vividly army life on the plains, particularly at Fort Laramie, the most historic spot in the Northwest, and at Fort Halleck, that little-known post which was the center of Indian hostilities on the Overland trail during 1865, "the bloody year on the Plains."

     For the most part, the events of the diary occurred along the two main westward routes across Wyoming, the Oregon trail and the Overland stage route. The Oregon trail, two thousand and twenty miles long, extended from Independence, Mo., to Fort Kearney, Nebraska, following the south bank of the North Platte to Fort Laramie, thence westward past Platte Bridge station to Fort Bridger, northwest, to Fort Boise, and on to the PaciÞc. The Overland stage route, the South Platte route, extended from Fort McPherson westward through Julesburg, Fort Collins, Virginia Dale, to Fort Halleck, and across Green river valley to Fort Bridger, where it touched the Oregon trail and turned sharply southwest to Salt Lake City. A third route is traced in the diary in the Powder river expedition, following, in part, the Bozeman trail, but extending farther into Montana and the Dakotas.

     A brief survey of the western movements in the sixties may aid the reader of the diary in realizing the magnitude of the task of the soldiers policing that region during the period. For Þfteen years before the beginning of the diary, the Oregon trail had been the scene of an almost continuous panorama of westward migration. First came the Mormons. Then followed the hordes of gold seekers, with the "forty-niners" in the van, ninety thousand of whom passed Fort Laramie the Þrst year of the gold rush, Þve hundred and forty-nine of their wagons having been counted within a stretch of nine miles. The discovery of the great Comstock lode in Nevada in 1859 multiplied the trafÞc, and in the same year the Cherry creek gold Þeld drew 150,000 prospectors to Colorado. With the discovery of gold in Montana, Bannock and Virginia City sprang up over night; the Idaho gold rush of 1863 drew thirty thousand more adventurers. [2]

     The passing of the Homestead act, May 20, 1862, lured to the West a vast army of land-hungry emigrants, countless thousands, who, encouraged by a government that had no conception of the hazards of Western travel, poured along the Oregon trail. It is estimated that 250,000 emigrants passed along the two main highways between 1859 and 1869.

     When, in 1861, the Overland stage route was opened along the Platte, it became the favorite road for stage coaches, overland mail, wagon trains, and freighters. It is impossible to conceive of the magnitude of this trafÞc. Russell, Majors, and Waddell, government contractors who transported military supplies to the forts along the trails, used more than six thousand wagons, with a capacity of three tons each, and seventy-Þve thousand oxen. Between 1861-1866 "Ben Holladay operated daily about Þve thousand miles of stage coaches, having an equipment of Þve hundred freight wagons, Þve hundred coaches and express wagons, Þve thousand horses and mules, and numerous oxen. [3] The annual cost of equipping and operating this stage line was approximately three and a half million dollars.

     The vast throng of emigrants, the Overland stage, the Overland mail, the wagon trains and freighters, and the two thousand miles of telegraph lines were all dependent for protection against Indian hostilities upon the utterly inadequately garrisoned forts and stations scattered at wide intervals along three thousand miles of trails. Such was the setting for the stirring incidents of the diary, from February 2, 1864, to July 14, 1866.

Feb. 2, 1864 &emdash; We [4] left GreenÞeld on the morning train for Cincinnati. Arriving there, We enlisted for the 11th Ohio cavalry, stationed at Fort Laramie. We put up at the Phoenix house and went out to the opera to see Maggie Mitchell.

Feb. 3 &emdash; We started for Dayton on the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton railroad.

Feb. 4 &emdash; We arrived in Dayton and were sworn in and drew our clothes. I put up at the Canal house. We drew $76 bounty, which, with the premium, made $80. The next day we went to Columbus by way of Xenia and were lodged in Tod Barracks, a rather dirty place.

Feb. 6 &emdash; We signed the payroll. We drew $75 bounty.

Feb. 7 &emdash; Sunday. Preaching in the dining room.

Feb. 8 &emdash; Sent home $120 by H. S. Williams, pay agent.

Feb. 9, 1864 &emdash; Orders to start to St. Louis. Drew rations late in the evening.

Feb. 10 &emdash; Left Columbus for Cincinnati, arriving at 9:30, and marched to the 6th street market place. I ran over town until night and at 7 o'clock started for St. Louis on the Ohio and Mississippi R. R. Arrived at the landing on the Mississippi and crossed over to St. Louis. Took street car to Benton barracks. They are very dirty, the worst I ever saw.

Feb. 18 &emdash; So cold I had to sit by the Þre part of the night.

Feb. 22 &emdash; Washington's birthday. Orders for the Ohio and Colorado boys to get ready to tramp. Left the miserable hole at noon. Went to town, left our traps at headquarters, and went to the Soldier's home for dinner. Ordered to stay there till 10 at night. Got our baggage from the Soldier's home and took the street cars for the North Missouri R. R.

Feb. 23, 1864 &emdash; We left St. Louis, arriving at St. Charles at 2:30. We crossed the Missouri on the ferry boat and took the cars. Daylight found us at Jonesburg. Later we changed cars at Macon for the Hannibal and St. Joseph R. R. Passed through Mexico and Chillicothe; Þne country, except a few miles west of Macon. We arrived at St. Joseph in the evening and took supper; went over to the Waverly house and slept in the ladies' parlor.

Feb. 24 &emdash; We breakfasted and went over town. Charlie, Pleas, and I had our picture taken. I sent away a single one or two. Took the cars at 11 o'clock on the Platte County R. R. Arrived at Weston and marched down to the ferry. Our transportation being refused, we crossed over to Kansas. Arrived at Fort Leavenworth at 5 P. M., and found a clean, warm, beautiful place to stay, on the bank of the river. Fine place, as good as we could ask.

Feb. 25 &emdash; Horse race near camp.

Feb. 26 &emdash; Went down to Leavenworth City; quite a town with plenty of American go-ahead-ativeness manifest at every step. Sat for a negative.

Feb. 27 &emdash; Splendid winter weather.

March 1, 1864 &emdash; A squad of our regiment came down this morning. One of old Company F was along, J. C. Bratten. Laid in a supply of stationery.

March 6 &emdash; Sunday. Took a long walk up to the fortiÞcations. Catholic meeting.

March 7 &emdash; Cloudy with a little rain.

March 9 &emdash; Thunder storm last night.

March 10 &emdash; Dismal rumors of starting for the plains in a day or two.

March 11 &emdash; Ordered to be ready to march in the morning. Drew oil blankets this evening. Ground covered with snow.

March 12, 1864 &emdash; We left Leavenworth with Þve wagons, one tent, and seventy men. [5] Our transportation is limited to twenty days' rations. Marched 12 miles. Lieutenant Wright of the 16th Kansas in charge.

March 13 &emdash; Started on ahead of the wagons. Got lost and went nearly to Atchison. Stopped at a house for dinner. Reached camp soon after the wagons. Fifteen miles march.

March 14 &emdash; Stretched our blankets in shape of wedge tent. Camped on Little Grasshopper, beyond Lancaster. Thirteen miles.

March 15 &emdash; Camp on Big Grasshopper. Corporal of the guard, tonight. Nineteen miles.

March 16 &emdash; Aroused the camp at daylight. Breakfast before sunrise. Camp is visited by Kinnekuck, chief of the Kickapoos. [6] Are camped on their reserve. I was ordered to take charge of the Þrst wagon and let no one ride. Fifteen miles.

March 17 &emdash; Passed through Seneca. Stopped and mailed a letter to M&emdash;&emdash;. Fight between MacDonald and Stratton. Some of the boys arrested for stealing hats and boots. Camped near Uncle John's store. Two dozen eggs for supper, eight a piece. Fifteen miles.

March 18 &emdash; Cold and windy. Started at 8 and reached camp at 2. Walked nearly all the way. Another Þght. Whiskey in the ascendant. Build Þre before our "kennel."

March 19 &emdash; Quite cool, got up at daylight, drew rations, and helped cook breakfast. Charlie Adams and I started on ahead of the wagons. We walked till twelve, ate our dinner, and went on to Marysville, where we waited for the wagons. Bought eggs, onions, needles, and Þshing lines. Rode across Big Blue; second team got tangled in crossing. Camp on Big Blue. Good supper. Fresh pork. Fifteen miles.

March 20 &emdash; Sunday. Boys killed some prairie chickens and red squirrels. Camp on an Indian reserve. Detailed for corporal of the guard. Seventeen miles.

March 21 &emdash; Up at 7 A. M. Called the third guard and kept them on till daylight. Charlie and I started out early with our riþes to hunt. We crossed into Nebraska at 10:00 A.M. Camp on Rock creek. Fifteen miles.

March 22 &emdash; Crossed Little Sandy and camped on the Big Sandy. Twenty miles.

March 23 &emdash; Camped on Little Blue. 28 miles.

March 24 &emdash; Orders for all to ride, but about forty men have gone on to walk awhile. Some men near us on the way to Bannock. [7] No feed for mules. Thirty-one miles.

March 25 &emdash; Coffee and crackers for breakfast. Have to haul wood to cook supper. Whiskey plenty. On guard duty the fore part of the night. I helped tie up a drunken fellow to a wagon wheel; kept him there nearly an hour and a half, when I let him down and put him to bed.

March 26 &emdash; Reached the junction of the Omaha road soon after noon. Saw Kearney when within seven miles. A mirage was perceptible. Houses looked like conical objects suspended in midair without foundations. Reached Fort Kearney at three o'clock.

Reached Fort Kearney [8] on the south bank of the Platte. Not much fort; barracks without bunks. The Platte here is 400 yards wide, but only a few inches deep the most of the way. It is treacherous because of quicksands.

March 28 &emdash; The windiest day I ever saw. Blew a perfect hurricane all night. Went after bread; lost my hat; brought in the bread and went back for my hat but came back minus. Almost impossible to face the wind. Sand and gravel cut the face.

March 29 &emdash; Weather warmer and storm over. Ground covered with snow.

March 30 &emdash; Went out on the bluffs and saw a large number of dead wolves scattered over the plains and skeletons of buffaloes. The bluffs are perfect sand hills. Found my hat and pieces of tent, etc., blown away by the storm.

April 1 &emdash; Charlie, Will, and I went hunting over the river. Saw geese, ducks, chickens, and other game, but could not get close enough to kill anything. A band of Pawnees at the fort. They say they are after the Siouxs, who have stolen their horses. They want provisions and tobacco. Some of them are all painted and dressed in robes with bows and arrows at their backs. They stay around over-night begging clothes and tobacco. Began snowing tonight.

April 3 &emdash; Pleas Brown and I were detailed as sergeant and corporal of the guard. Snow drifted about Þve feet deep.

April 7 &emdash; Raining. Went hunting. Saw plenty of geese and ducks.

April 9 &emdash; Sergeant of the guard for twelve hours out of twenty-four. Evening warm and pleasant.

April 10 &emdash; Escort of the second detachment arrived, and report that the detachment will be in this evening. [9] Detachment ordered to halt three miles from the fort because some of them are sick with something like smallpox. Mounted pickets throughout to keep us from the other boys. Will has taken a team and gone for corn. Weather warm, clear, and pleasant. Feels as if spring is here at last.

April 11 &emdash; A large train passing for the mines. Sale of condemned þour, whiskey, etc. A large detachment marched up to the hospital to be vaccinated.

April 12 &emdash; Went to the bluffs hunting. Followed some deer tracks. Started one "jack" and a þock of chickens.

April 14 &emdash; David Stratton came up from the other camp, the Þrst time I had seen him since Camp Douglas. [10] Wagons returned with corn last night. Co. H, 7th Ohio reported to have smallpox.

April 16 &emdash; Boys bathing in the river. Quite warm.

April 19 &emdash; Some of the boys refuse to do guard duty. Brown and I have to stand guard all night.

April 20 &emdash; Leave Ft. Kearney for Ft. Laramie. Both detachments put into one, and Lt. Montgomery turns over his command to Lt. Wright, who now has command of all recruits. One doctor with us. Mart Hughey left behind with rheumatism. Camp 18 miles from Ft. Kearney. Hot biscuits for supper. Some good singing after supper. The Swiss captain and his men and doctor were with us. The captain is on furlough from his own country and is taking a trip for hunting. The doctor is on his way from Washington to join the 11th, having dispatches from Col. Collins. Weather warm and pleasant.

April 21 &emdash; Camp on Plum creek ranch. Whiskey in the ascendant, and of course plenty of quarreling. Went hunting with Curtis; saw some pheasants for the Þrst time. Went up to where some Denver men were stopping. Marched seventeen miles.

April 22 &emdash; Followed the Platte river nearly all day. Snowing and raining. The lieutenant told us to pitch the tent and we might sleep in it. We also pitched Mrs. Burke's tent.

April 23 &emdash; Cold and frosty. Shot at a crane. Not ranch game. Met a band of Indians, nine miles above camp, Sioux of the Brule tribe. They were better looking and better dressed than the Pawnees. They were going over on the Republican to hunt. Had women and children with them, wigwams, dogs, horses, and all the accompaniments of an Indian encampment. Some were walking, some riding; some armed with riþes, some with bows and arrows. The lodge poles were strapped to the ponies' sides and a kind of a basket or pannier tied behind, Þlled with plunder and papooses. The little ones had their heads sticking out and seemed well contented. Others a little larger were on horseback. Part of the lodges were still standing, and the squaws were very busy tearing them down, catching ponies, and loading up the horses while the men were doing nothing. Some of the girls were not so bad looking as some white girls I have seen. We camped on the banks of the Platte. I saw an Indian grave today on the road. It was in a wrapper of something on four poles eight or ten feet high.

Another band of Indians camped near us, Ogilallas. They were also on a hunt. Men, women, and children in camp, great beggars. They are shooting for soda crackers with bows and arrows. Saw my Þrst prairie dog today. Twenty-two miles today.

April 24 &emdash; Heavy frost. Passed several ranches and saw a number of Indians and a large drove of horses and mules on the way to California. Camped on the Cottonwood after walking 23 miles.

April 25 &emdash; Bluffs more broken and pointed than further down. Warm thru' day. At 4 o'clock wind changed from south to north, blowing hard and turning much colder. Eighteen miles.

April 26 &emdash; Marched 18 miles and camped on Fremont's slough. Saw some more Indians stuck up to dry, and some live ones. Beans and dirt for breakfast. Reached O'Fallons Bluff, passed O'Fallon's post ofÞce. Wagons several miles behind. Several mules lost, strayed or stolen, so there had to be three four-mule teams. [11] Some of the boys tied up for drunkenness.

April 27 &emdash; Caught a white weasel today. Camped near Rising Sun ranch. Lieutenant telegraphed to Laramie for more transportation. Has the promise of three more wagons at Muddy Springs. Twenty miles.

April 28 &emdash; Dark and cloudy, commenced raining. Very disagreeable. Reached the Lone Tree ranch before noon. Had dinner and supper, then pitched the Sibley tent for the mess. I am now out on the prairie, having helped eat a can of strawberries, very good for boys. The sun is shining pleasantly. The Lone Tree ranch is near where the "Lone Tree" of history formerly stood. It was a cottonwood six feet in diameter, standing alone, no others in many miles. The old monarch stood for ages alone, but at last a prairie Þre caught in its hollow trunk and it was burned down. The boys cut chips as mementos; I cut one myself. [12]

April 29 &emdash; Guns issued to carry in case of attacks by Cheyennes. Carried a gun all day. Reached the Buckeye ranch at the old California crossing before 9 o'clock. Camped about noon. Waded out to an island for brush for fuel. Dress parade in the evening. Counted off and organized into two reliefs, each to ride half the time.

April 30 &emdash; Reached Julesburg, Colorado, before noon. Here we met Major Converse and lady. A small town of Þve or six houses and a telegraph station. The Denver road [13] leaves the old road here. Nearly half of us waded the river. It is not over two feet deep but a quarter of a mile wide. Two wagons unloaded and went back for the rest of the boys. Crossed over [Lodge?] Pole creek and camped. Saw my Þrst antelope, several of the boys chasing it. Prairie dogs very wild.

May 1 &emdash; Charlie, Wip, and I walked on ahead and waited for the wagons. Rode most of the day; camped on Pole creek.

May 2 &emdash; Lay over at this camp today. Three of the boys attempted to desert and were put under arrest. Fishing; weather warm.

May 3 &emdash; Thunder storm with rain and hail. Eleven of the mules missing; none to ride today. Walked awhile and then waited for Will's wagon. Camp at Fremont Springs. 31 miles.

May 4 &emdash; Lay over waiting for transportation from Laramie. Met some of the escort from the fort yesterday.

May 5 &emdash; Left Muddy Springs. Passed Court House rock, a very interesting and curious concern, standing as it does on a plain several hundred feet high. Many of the boys went over to it, but I was too sick. They brought a skull from the rock which is said to have been there forty years. Camp on the North Platte, three miles from Chimney rock, another curiosity. It rises to a considerable height, nearly in the shape of a chimney and can be seen for many miles either way.

May 6 &emdash; Passed Scott's Bluff, [14] the line, I think, between Nebraska and Idaho. [Yes; but now, of course, Wyoming. &emdash; M. E. H.] The bluffs are almost perpendicular and partly covered with pines; look almost like mountains.

May 7 &emdash; Raining. Shot at a drove of snipes. Camp on North branch. Twenty-Þve miles today.

May 8 &emdash; We are met and stopped four miles from Fort Laramie by the doctors and ofÞcers; afraid of smallpox. We are quarantined and camp on the Platte. Not a good place; too sandy. Cottonwood grove. Indians near. Draw tents. Go over to the river and wash and change clothes for the Þrst time in three weeks. OfÞcers down from the fort. Saw Capt. Reinhart. Rations sent down for us.

May 9 &emdash; Our mess get a wagon and go after cedar to carpet our tent. Went up on the bluffs and saw where the Indians had Þxed up smoking tobacco over an old grave by sticking a number of sticks in the ground, each bearing a little rag full of tobacco. We draw soft bread; very good after so much hardtack.

May 10 &emdash; Warm. Behymer and Curtis got a good pile of Þsh with a seine. I helped prepare them. Had a splendid supper. The band came down from the fort and played for us. We cheered them in return. Roll call. Lt. Wright introduced Col. Collins, who made a few remarks and announced a victory in Virginia. Lee is in full retreat with Grant in pursuit. The colonel gave three cheers for our Union, which were given with a will. I never felt so much like cheering in my life. Lt. Wright proposed three cheers for our colonel, which were given. Then we gave three for the Lieutenant.

May 15 &emdash; Cox, Grim, and I crossed the river in a skiff.

May 16 &emdash; Left Camp Underhill. Shot a wolf; caught a viper. Wagons go around over the bluffs. We marched up the river through a wild, shady place. Take off our hats partly in reverence and partly to enjoy the refreshing air. Camp again moved to be nearer the fort. Camp on the Laramie below the bridge. Doctor Hitz made a farewell address at retreat, congratulating us on our safe arrival across the plains, and our good feeling, good health, good commander, etc. saying he is sorry to leave us after our short acquaintance.

May 17 &emdash; Dr. Hitz and the Swiss captain left us this morning for Laramie peak. Camp Collins. Daily round of camp life, the same for several days. Lt. Apt and Lt. Humfreville are to take charge in the morning.

May 25 &emdash; Broke up camp and moved up to the fort, [15] where Lt. Apt's company go into barracks lettered Co. I. Our company under Lt. Humfreville stops in tents on parade ground, lettered Co. K. A squad of GreenÞeld boys going to Bannock. Company K now consists of 85 men. Half the company are on half duty or detached service. Five men are detailed from the company to help with a new road in the Black Hills, Adams, Franklin, Caldwell, and Grim to be gone ten days. Old companies gone or going. Indians causing trouble up the road, stealing stock. Killed one white man and shot another in six places, a man named Foote. Co. H going after them. Moved into quarters, better than tents.

May 30 &emdash; Lt. Wright left us today.

June 12 &emdash; Sunday. Very busy writing letters. Divine services in the library. Attended the Þrst time for three months. Not many present.

June 13 &emdash; A little skirmish above here Þve miles. The Indians came back, it was thought for the purpose of killing Foote. He shot one named Bob Smoke, but did not kill him. Bob was brought to the hospital and will likely die; shot in the stomach, ball lodged in the back ribs. Two other Indians shot, one killed.

June 14 &emdash; One of the Smokes killed 25 miles above by the Utahs.

June 15 &emdash; Mail sent up to Co. A and G. Emigrants plenty in camp. Concert tonight.

June 17 &emdash; False reports that Utahs are two and a half miles above, trying to steal stock. Boys went out about midnight. No sign of Utahs. Major Converse and three others started for Ohio in a skiff.

June 18 &emdash; Windy. Quite a storm of dust. Boys came in from Black Hills a little after midnight. Had camped out, but Utahs being about and ammunition being scarce, they concluded to come on in. I went out in the morning and gathered some nice bouquets. Out again this evening. Found some cactus in bloom, very nice. Five months ago tonight where was I? Not here, no. I did not then think of being so far away from home by this time. Happy, happy was the night! When will I again enjoy the precious privilege of meeting friends so dear? In years to come, if life is given, but O, so long it seems! Tempus fugit. The time will come.

June 19 &emdash; Beautiful sunset scene. Rain in evening.

June 20 &emdash; Wip and I went over the river. Emigrants lining the road. Had a splendid dinner when we got back; roast beef, dried apples, and brandy pudding. Excellent. Better than soldiers can generally boast of.

June 23 &emdash; More recruits came up, making the number 90.

June 24 &emdash; Heavy rain and hail last night; cool and pleasant today. Drill hours changed on account of heat. Drilled in evening and then went swimming.

June 25 &emdash; Martin and I got a mounted pass and went down to the ranche. Very warm and ponies very mean. Bad wind storm.

June 27 &emdash; Uncle Doc and Al Hull [16] passed through here. I went over the river with Al and stayed all night. Mail came in this morning.

June 30 &emdash; Company and general inspection; review and muster for pay. Quarter master department changing hands.

July 2 &emdash; A heavy storm during the night blew our pine down and overturned several chimneys.

July 3 &emdash; Finishing the arbor again, making wreaths and decorating the rooms for the Fourth. Arrest of some emigrants for making a disturbance.

July 4 &emdash; The 88th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the day when every American heart should swell with pride and gratitude toward those noble men who gave their all to establish a free and independent government as an inheritance for future generations. Little did they think that there would be millions at this day trying to overthrow and destroy the fruits of that seven years of toil and blood; but so it is. May they not succeed, is our daily wish.

A salute of Þfty guns was Þred at noon; then we had a splendid dinner: roast beef, veal, mutton tongue, pies, cake, etc. Table neatly spread and decorated with wreaths and ornamental cake stands. The ofÞcers were invited to dinner with us, but having mess dinner of their own, none but the ofÞcer of the day, Lieut. Pettijohn, responded. OfÞcers and ladies visited our quarters and praised our taste very highly. Quite nice, a spread eagle of cedar in each room and one at the top of the arbor.

Boys were very busy putting up seats and canvas for the performance tonight. [17] Copied programmes. Great rush around the door. Seats crowded. Performance good, consisting of pantomime, burlesque, songs, etc. Salute of Þfteen guns Þred after eleven. Fine sight.

July 7 &emdash; Acting secretary for the minstrels. Weather quite cool for July. Boys getting ready for another performance tonight. Better Þxed than before; seats raised. Admittance, front seats, 50 cents, back 25 and 15. Sold tickets. Show good. Took in $107.

July 9 &emdash; Colonel pleased with results; says there must be another show tomorrow night. Paymaster here. Finishing payrolls; none to be mustered as veterans.

July 10 &emdash; Mail in. Letter from Mae [Marian Kelley]. Paid off in evening. Six of us received the veterans' bounty, an order having been received from the adjutant general. Paid from date of enlistment up to the present time after deducting advance pay. Received $100, $50 bounty, and $13 a month regular pay, the paymaster not having received an order to pay me $16 a month.

Another entertainment last night. Some disorder caused by there being too much whiskey on hand; some of the performers the worse for it.

July 13 &emdash; Dispatches received from up the road that the Indians are killing the emigrants at different places. Company E and some men from Company I, and twelve men from Company K and two pieces of artillery sent up. General Mitchell is expected in a few days. An escort going to meet him tomorrow. News from down the road that there is trouble with the Indians. Mr. Lorey writes from the agency that the place will probably be attacked tonight by a large body of Missouri Sioux, each with a hundred warriors. Considerable excitement. Sitting up late writing and waiting for news.

July 14 &emdash; Still excitement. Gen. Mitchell telegraphs to send no escort. Herds to be brought in at night and strongly guarded. Two of Co. A sent with a dispatch.

July 15 &emdash; No Indians around here yet. A dispatch from Fickland [18] that Indians attacked that place and that there are 60 or 70 emigrants corralled there. Think they can hold out until reenforcements arrive from here. Co. B gone down to help them through. Co. A men report a large body of hostile Indians advancing in this direction.

July 16 &emdash; No news; apprehensions beginning to abate.

July 19 &emdash; Croughan and Woods went out with the mail as far as Mud Springs. Going to stay there awhile.

July 20 &emdash; Heavy rain.

July 21 &emdash; Detailed for guard. Row at taps; took one man to the guard house.

July 22 &emdash; Remainder of government train came in from below. Two deserters from Co. I last night, Carter and Baker. Took Grace, Co. I, to the guard house for making a disturbance.

July 23 &emdash; Dispatch received that Lieut. Brown, Co. E, was killed in a charge on the Indians over near Powder river; his body shot full of arrows and scalped.

July 24 &emdash; Co. B going over on the Rawhide after a party of Indians.

July 25 &emdash; Co. B came back, having taken one scalp.

A detail of 15 men of Co. K to go over on Rawhide to bring in what plunder was left at the Indian camp. I thought I would go along. Sergeant Channel, Co. B, took charge. Two other Co. B boys with us; all on ponies. Started at three o'clock. Two ponies gave out at Beauvais, leaving our party at sixteen. At Bordeaux we were joined by two Indians. Crossed the Platte without accident a mile below the ranche. Struck a northeast direction and in about seven miles came to where the dead Indian was. Found several old saddles, lariat ropes, robes, paint, and other Indian paraphernalia. A dead one lay in the sun scalped. Our Indians took what they wanted and we Þred what remained, then struck for the river. Reached it at sunset, crossing where it was deep and swift. Two B boys got set off; got a complete ducking. Had some milk and biscuits at the ranche and came on up to the fort, arriving after 11 o'clock. Several ponies tired out. Mine fell with me; no damage done though.

July 26 &emdash; Reported Þght on Upper Platte bridge. Several Indians killed. Detailed for guard, but as I was tired, Corporal Martin took my place.

July 27 &emdash; Gen. Mitchell came in from Kearney with an escort of 7th Iowa. Salute of seven guns Þred in honor of his arrival. Agent in. Says it was a friendly Sioux that Co. B killed. Indians talking of revenge. Mail in; received six letters and two papers.

July 29 &emdash; Boys came in from scouting. Reeshaw says the Þghting is a humbug. Change reported in this department; Maj. Wood to command the post. Lieut. Reeves to be inspector general in the department. Salute of 13 guns Þred before tattoo. Was ordered to help. Don't know what it was for.

July 30 &emdash; Went out riding ten miles up the river. Stopped at a train. Had dinner of peaches, sardines, crackers, and pickles. Went across to the Laramie, where Co. B had camped for the night. Boys came in from the scout. Lieut. Brown dead; shot with two arrows, one in the back and one in the neck. Lived till morning.

July 31 &emdash; Heavy wind. Very dusty. Provosts brought in some prisoners; arrested one man for raising a row. Patton, Co. G, shot accidentally, thought to be mortally.

August 1 &emdash; Busy all day making out monthly returns and clothing requisitions. Co. H gone down the road. Iowa boys moving into their quarters.

August 2 &emdash; Ladies in camp.

August 3 &emdash; Coe, Gibson, and myself got a pass and went up the river. Got all the currants we could eat. Came back and stopped at a train. Got a pressing invitation to take dinner with some ladies but declined. Made the acquaintance of some ladies from Missouri; had a pleasant talk and found them educated and reÞned. Sergt. Weaver bought a jug of molasses and sent it down in the hay wagon. Gibson left his pony for Settle. It broke loose; could not catch it. I came to camp and got a pass for Charlie and me till ten o'clock to bring in the pony. It was here before we started, but we went up to the train anyway, Scott with us, and got picked up by the patrol. We were reported to the Lieutenant, and Scott reduced to the ranks. We were ordered to quarters.

August 4 &emdash; Gen. Mitchell and Dr. Hitz and Mrs. Collins started for the States. Mrs. Collins took Flora Schneider with her to give her an education; a prairie þower for sure.

August 5 &emdash; Mail went out early. Indians stole part of the Quarter Master herd a mile above the fort. De Rush came in to give information. Iowa boys sent out immediately.

Attack on a train at Star ranch. One man seriously wounded. Five boys of Co. K detailed to go with the ambulance for the man.

August 6 &emdash; Boys came in during the night with the wounded man. The Indians got off with the stock. They were close on to the Indians, but from some cause they did not overtake them. Stable call. Order for twelve men to be equipped for scouting, ready at any time. Grasshoppers by the myriad in the air, eating everything up &emdash; destroying the garden. Detail of eight men and Corp. Curtis for artillery drill.

August 8 &emdash; Sunday. Inspection by Maj. Wood and Maj. Underhill. Co. K ahead in neatness. Corp. Martin and two privates sent down to the agency. 13 men transferred, 7 to Co. E and 6 to Co. H, leaving 71 yet in Co. K, with a fair prospect of being permanently organized. Col. Collins and escort started this evening for Cache la Poudre. Caldwell, Hutchinson, Keating, Burns, and Tubbs gone.

August 9 &emdash; Mail came in last night after dark. Received six letters and two papers. An alarm of Indians crossing four miles above late last evening.

August 11 &emdash; Go to sick call and get my regular ration of quinine. Alarm of Indians at the herd. Iowa boys went out. They proved to be a war party of 150 Utes after the Sioux but friendly to us. Sutler's train came up at last.

August 12 &emdash; Hewett's camp destroyed and everything stolen by Indians.

August 13 &emdash; Windy &emdash; dust and sand. Returned to duty this morning. Back still weak and feel out of order. Mail in; received six letters and two papers.

August 14 &emdash; Inspection at 10 o'clock; dress parade at sunset. A multiplicity of orders read. Three prisoners escape from guard while bathing. Clifford of Co. B brought in in irons. Five men detailed to go up the river.

August 15 &emdash; Alarm last night; pickets Þring. All get up, but nothing to pay as the alarm was without cause. Departure of mail postponed. Church down from the sawmill. Prisoners brought in by Pierson, who caught them up near his herd.

August 16 &emdash; Made up ordnance returns for the Þrst quarter of 1864. [19] Opened a considerable sutler's account, $8 worth of paper and a pair of suspenders. Old Maj. Bridger is in Fort Meguire badly hurt by being thrown from a pony. Sent to the hospital. Nichols, Co. H, gone deranged.

August 17 &emdash; Inspector Reeves back. Corp. Brown and Wheeler, Stephenson, and Gibson are gone to the sawmill.

August 18 &emdash; Mail leaves this morning. Lieut. Humfreville goes with it, being ordered to Kearney, probably to bring up the balance of the recruits, leaving Sergt. Brown in charge of Co. K. Inspection is over, a regular bore. Had to lead the ponies out and stand in the rain for two hours. We were an interesting outÞt and worth looking at, too. Report of hard Þghting at Atlanta and Petersburg. Overland company drawing off the mail coaches. Poor prospect for mail. Don't know what we will do. Will be rather lonesome.

August 19, 1864 &emdash; Capt. Koehne, Sergt. Patton, and one of the Co. A men came down yesterday. They report new silver and gold leads discovered near Deer creek and South Pass. Went with Lee to hunt horses. Struck directly back from the Platte for about seven miles, when we struck the trail and followed it three miles, lost it, and went over on Rawhide, 15 miles from the fort, then up the creek two or three miles, then home. The country is rough and broken with large sand hills. Along the creek is a little timber and plenty of berries. Drank water from a wolf hole. Got back just before retreat. Nothing to eat since breakfast.

August 20 &emdash; Spent a part of the day in the reading room. A good letter from Mae, such as I like. Overland route closed until road is better protected.

August 21 &emdash; Sunday. Inspection at nine. All go out on parade ground. Had to open our jackets and show shirts; a new inspection, but a good idea. Sutler's train starting east. O'Brien's company go along as escort. Indians getting troublesome.

August 22 &emdash; Pickets Þred during night; no cause for it. Lieut. Collins is here. Feast on raisins, nuts, lemonade. Four of the boys have gone down to the agency. Brown and the other boys back from the sawmill.

August 23 &emdash; Early reveille. Odell gone to Sweetwater with a team. Camp full of Indians.

[Five pages of the diary missing.]

Sept. 5 &emdash; . . . Nature seems holy. No outward noise but the distant howl of the wolf. Keeler up from Mud Springs. Too much drunkenness in the company tonight.

Sept. 6 &emdash; Made another receipt roll.

Sept. 7 &emdash; Charlie and I went Þshing. Caught nothing, but killed a rattlesnake. Tore up the house and threw it out of the window. Glorious time killing bedbugs. Smoked the room full of brimstone. Charlie and I move in together. . . . The escaped prisoners brought in. They tell a hard tale of starving and eating grasshoppers.

Sept. 8 &emdash; Nothing said about the mail leaving. Postponed indeÞnitely. Odell back from Sweetwater. I drew a free suit of clothing from the overplus.

Sept. 10 &emdash; Played barber part of evening. Wood-pile burned through Tyler's carelessness in building Þre.

Sept. 11 &emdash; Sunday. Morning inspection by Capt. Fouts. Quarters pronounced in Þne order. Circular sent round that the mail will leave tomorrow. Excitement caused by seeing something out on the bluffs west of the fort. Thought to be Indians. Co. D of the 7th sent out to learn what is up. Hewett sent to the guard house drunk. Had a large musk melon, good. Got a box to keep my clothes in; cost only $5. Mail went out before daylight. It is said that the ambulance will have to go to Kearney and that we will not receive any mail for 18 days.

Sept. 13 &emdash; Two years ago this morning I went on picket duty for the last time in Virginia, at Harper's Ferry, when there was a picket skirmish and a Þght on Bolivar Heights. Our men were driven back across the river. [20] No news; very dull. Col. Collins came in late this morning.

Sept. 14 &emdash; Built a Þre in the stove again. Opened the barber shop and shaved several. Colonel's escort came in; had a good time hunting, having killed buffalo, elk, and deer. Went Þshing with Charlie Bolton [21] and caught half a dozen frogs and ate two for supper. Like them; good and sweet. Sergt. Merwin of Co. D down. Too much whiskey again. Played the violin till tattoo.

Sept. 15 &emdash; Inspection by Lieut. Reeves. Marched down in the bottom and were inspected. Co. I and K drilled on the parade. Our company did splendidly. Nine Co. K ponies condemned.

Beautiful night, calm, clear; moonshiny and pleasant. The full moon makes it almost as light as day. What is more calmly beautiful than September moonlight? All is quiet, and nature's million voices are hushed into quiet, peaceful repose. What a happy world it would be could man's existence be as peaceful and he sink to rest like the moon's going down!

A great difference between tonight and two years ago. Then I was lying on the Bolivar heights above Harper's Ferry, a prisoner, surrounded by dirty rebels, not knowing what was in store for us. But all came out well.

Sept. 16 &emdash; Rumor that Mitchell's force has divided and a part is coming this way.

Sept. 18 &emdash; Sunday. Stable call about "winked out": not much attention paid to it. Inspection at half past nine. Our company in good order. Sleep and read the balance of the day.

Sept. 19 &emdash; With Burt and Behymer I got a pass and went out to the woodyard for plums. Went out to the hills but missed the orchard. Came back on the creek and ate our dinner of sardines, crackers, raisins, and pineapples. Stopped at the camp and fed our horses. Got back to the fort before sunset. Went over some very rough country; hills rocky, the rocks edged in together, making it appear more like a work of art than nature. Provosts returned, bringing thirteen of Co. G under guard, charged with stealing shirts and boots from emigrant traders.

Sept. 20 &emdash; Lieut. Wilcox, mustering ofÞcer, here. Co. G men all released but Þve, who are still in the guard house. Considerable whiskey about. Dance in Co. I's kitchen. Four women present, nearly all drunk. Hewett dressed in women's clothes and went with Dr. Dryden. Dance broke up in an uproar. [22]

Sept. 21 &emdash; No sergeant nor corporal at stable call. Co. G gone back to Deer creek. Mail going out again in a few days.

Sept. 23 &emdash; Busy all day making out enlistment papers for Lee and Hewett and reenlistment rolls for Co. A men.

Sept. 24 &emdash; Finish muster &emdash; in papers. Run "barber shop" in the evening.

Sept. 25 &emdash; The usual Sunday morning inspection. Lieut. Wilcox left, the mail going at the same time. Col. Collins gone to Cache La Poudre. Weir with him. . . . Heard yesterday of Sheridan's victory, Fremont's withdrawal, and that peace negotiations are going forward.

Co. K's pantry and kitchen arrangements in good shape. Splendid dinner, something like living. Post going down rapidly.

Sept. 26 &emdash; Mail said to be at Cottonwood, laying over on account of sickness in the Major's family.

Second anniversary of our arrival at Camp Douglas (Chicago). Would not object to being there now. Evening dark and gloomy. Iowa company relieved from duty. Mobile taken. Good news coming rapidly.

Sept. 27 &emdash; Co. D of the 7th are getting ready to start for Halleck.

Sept. 28 &emdash; Upward mail at Julesburg. Look for it Saturday. Dispatch from Humfreville, saying that he was back at Kearney and would start up in a few days. Alarm a little after dark; pickets Þring. "Boots and saddles" sounds, and Co. K falls in for battle. Twenty men sent out to see what is up. We run all over the bluffs and at last divide off into squads to hunt the pickets. Find them in a ravine, apparently asleep. They had not Þred a shot nor heard one; so we saw there was nothing to do but come back and report to Major Wood, who said he heard Þring distinctly. All a hoax. Came to quarters and went to bed.

Sept. 29 &emdash; Beautiful morning, clear and cool, with only a little frost. Only two out for roll call. Wip and I took a ride and went about seven miles up the Laramie. Looked for grapes but found none.

Sept. 30 &emdash; Caldwell Þrst relief, Brant second, and myself third. Came in soon after daylight, Þnding a new pair of boots on the way. Sergt. Hoover of Co. A down.

Good news from Virginia; Sheridan following up his advance. Also a success near Richmond, but this is conterbalanced by the news from Missouri. Price at the head of a large army, murdering all the Union men they can catch in the state.

Oct. 1 &emdash; Some appearance of winter, and no preparations being made for it. No wood here, and little prospect of a sufÞcient supply.

Oct. 2 &emdash; Sunday morning inspection. Affray last night at Bordeaux' ranche. Smith, a mountaineer, attacks Bordeaux and attempts his life. The latter in self-defense shoots the former, killing him, then comes to the fort and gives himself up. Camp out of wood. Help haul and chop some, tho it is Sunday. Feel lonesome, and almost have the "blues." Will read over some old letters as there are no new ones to occupy my attention. Eight months in the service, and all is well yet.

Oct. 3 &emdash; A ball in the reading room. Some quarreling.

Oct. 4 &emdash; Made out the clothing requisition and as Sergt. Burt was sick I issued it. Mail team has given out below Bordeaux'. Wip takes a team and goes down to help them in. Mail arrives after dark; four sacks. Will not get it before morning. Maj. Wood's family came up with the mail. Boys very anxious to get the news. Got ten letters; hear much bad news of old friends dying, being killed or wounded. Receive three letters from Marian in which are her photo, her mother's, some very bad news, and a ring. Will have to bid her farewell forever. It is a hard task but must be accomplished. Will try to forget her. [23] Received a good letter from Lide. A good girl, truly.

Oct. 5 &emdash; Finish the returns. Not in a state of mind to do business. Commence a letter to Marie. Write till midnight.

Oct. 6 &emdash; Co. K evacuate the stables and take old Co. D's stables. Dance at the band room. Invited to attend. Sergt. Patton here.

Oct. 7 &emdash; Dance broke up before midnight. Six women present. Danced two sets. Too much whiskey entirely, the greatest drawback to a good party. Sergt. Brown received a dispatch from Lieut. Humfreville. He is at Mud Springs and will be here in three days. Good! Will be glad to see him. Finished my last letter to Marian, &emdash; ten pages Þlled &emdash; bidding her a last farewell. Hard to say the word. Co. D came in, some of them on a drunk. I scrubbed out the room and cleaned everything up. Co. A now attached to Co. K, now about half the company.

Oct. 9 &emdash; Lieut. Humfreville arrived after dark. Glad to see him looking so well. He left the boys at Ficklin's. Sixty horses taken up; good, if we only get to keep them! Chryst ordered to take charge of the provisions at the corn pile. Sergt. Brown very sick with bilious colic. I stayed up the greater part of the night. Went for the doctor at one o'clock. Lay down on the þoor then and slept till daylight. A light mail came in today. Don't know where the heavy mail is. We are to have 61 more horses.

Oct. 11 &emdash; Turn in the ponies, but take them back to the stable to brand. Col. Collins and Maj. Underhill back at the fort. Brown still sick. Made him toast for supper. Chryst is ordered to take charge of the prisoners at the corn pile. Co. A at Star ranche. The band came to life; gave a serenade after taps. Beautiful night, pleasant and moonshiny. Got up to listen to the music. Good! Sleep in the orderly room, to be close if Brown is worse. Recruits arrive and camp back of headquarters. Band goes out and escorts Co. A in. Sergt. Brown better. Sixteen of the recruits attached to Co. K; more attached to Co. I. Election for company ofÞcers held in Co. 1. Lieut. Apt elected captain. No opposition. Sergt. Maloney elected second lieutenant.

Oct. 13 &emdash; Co. K holds election: Humfreville, captain; Sergt. Behymer, second lieutenant; Brown and Applegate, judges; Hull and Morrow, clerks. The boys carry the new captain to the store and make him treat to a box of bitters. As a natural consequence, half the company drunk. A few Þghts. Everybody apparently pleased with the election. Odell comes into Co. K. Freeman gets away from the guard, takes a horse, and leaves. Boyer, riding over the parade grounds, ordered under arrest; he runs, and is shot at twice. Rice and Humfreville go after him, bringing him back tied to his horse. A general drunk this evening; am perfectly disgusted with it.

Oct. 14 &emdash; Mail goes east. Co. A men ordered to their company.

Oct. 15 &emdash; Make out QM accounts for August. Order for Brown and Behymer to do duty as lieutenants. Horses issued to Co. K. Did not want to go to stables as I was busy. Captain chose a horse for me. Like him passably well. Went to stable call and got back just as bugle sounded for parade: Capt. Apt, sergeant; Lieut. Harland, ofÞcer of the day. Too much on hand for a half hour. I help issue clothing and wind up for the evening by copying letters organizing Co. K. Dance at band room breaks up in a row. Welsh and his wife part.

Oct. 16 &emdash; Sunday. Inspection. Lieut. Brown ofÞcer of the day. Wedding "down street." Sergt. Cummings to Miss &emdash; &emdash; . The band serenades them. Music sounds very well; night still and moonlit.

Oct. 17 &emdash; Behymer ofÞcer of the day for the Þrst time. Orders for drill twice a day, in the morning mounted and in the evening on foot. Mounted drill for the Þrst time. When will be the last? That is more than can be told by any of us. Men drill very well. My horse full of life; can hardly manage him at times. Brown moves to new quarters; seems like breaking up a family. Captain told me to act as orderly sergeant today, perhaps henceforth. Hardly time to get ready for dress parade. I have the company fall in and act as orderly for the Þrst time.

Oct. 18 &emdash; Mounted drill in the morning; on foot in the evening. Rode the captain's horse, my own too lively. Dress parade. Florentine and Mack ordered under arrest on account of absence. Florentine released to go on guard tomorrow. Fill out descriptive rolls and clothing accounts until bedtime.

Oct. 19 &emdash; Very windy; neither drill nor dress parade today. So dusty that one can't see &emdash; almost enough to choke a person.

Oct. 20 &emdash; Drill mounted at the trot gives a good appetite for dinner. Poor turnout at evening drill. Wedding "down street": Sergt. Schnyder to cross-eyed Julia. Band serenades them. Big supper. Must be going to have a cold winter as weddings are all the rage.

Oct. 21 &emdash; Col. Collins out to see us drill. Provoked at some of the men. Orderly's position not an easy one. Can begin to see through the press of business.

Oct. 22 &emdash; Mail came in today, two sacks. Received seven letters. Orders read for a salute of 15 guns to be Þred in honor of Sheridan's victory. Face to the south in the rear of guns while Þring is going on.

Oct. 23 &emdash; The usual inspection of men and horses. The major was complimentary to our neat stables.

Oct. 24 &emdash; Weather hazy, like Indian summer. Dress parade. Sergt. Tom Sinclair [24] and myself called to the front of the column. Major ordered two men of Co. D and one of Co. K to stand at attention for 15 minutes after companies left parade, because of nonattention.

Laramie "Varieties" perform tonight: I act as cashier and ticket agent. Take in $93, then go in to the performance. Better than before; not quite so much whiskey. Splendid music: violin, guitar, melodeon, and brass band. The best playing on the melodeon I have ever heard; Mr. Raymond from Salt Lake.

Oct. 25 &emdash; Commence the pay and muster rolls. Dress parade; two absent; I am ordered to send them to the guard house. Don't like the business but it must be done. Hard for men who work all day to attend parade.

Oct. 27 &emdash; Nearly all the company on detail: Odell's horse fell dead with him, hurting him considerably. Drill at the gallop. Men busy repairing Þreplaces. Haul wood from the hills. Boys Þx up for concert by Prof. Raymond. Promotion of Sinclair and Patton read on parade. $80 taken in at the concert. The money is going toward furnishing the reading room with papers for winter reading. Night clear; beautiful starlight; myriads of stars.

Oct. 28 &emdash; Co. A veterans start for the States with three cheers for Ohio. They will see some rough weather before they get to Leavenworth.

Oct. 29 &emdash; No drill today; policing to do. Mail started out, Lieut. Williams with it, also Tallman, who is going to Omaha to clerk. Orders read for general inspection tomorrow; everybody to come out. Draw stable frocks for the company.

Oct. 30 &emdash; Sunday. Battalion drill; do rather poorly; too windy to hear the commands; Lieut. Brown acting adjutant. Company drill afterwards. Go to stables, carry out all the saddles, and then lead out all the horses in line. Reeves, inspector. Maj. Wood says that quarters are clean and look well. Have to make out new pay rolls; Þrst one torn up by a dog; rather bad joke.

Oct. 31 &emdash; Snows all day and still snowing after taps. Looks very much like winter. Muster for pay; 58 of Co. K on hand. Telegraphic dispatches from adjutant general of Ohio state that our ofÞcers have this day been commissioned. This will quiet the complainers. Old non-commissioned staff very much dissatisÞed with the election. Think they should be ofÞcers. Three years today since my Þrst enlistment. Then I thought the war would close before a year, but still the strife goes on.

Nov. 2 &emdash; Some signs of mutiny. The non-commissioned staff and companies A and D want to go home. They send in a remonstrance to the colonel demanding that they be sent home, or they will take the matter into their own hands and go. [25]

Nov. 3 &emdash; No mounted drill, but every one to turn out on foot. Issue cartridges to all. Drill until time for recall, but none comes. Stay out till noon, when we learn that we are kept out under arms to prevent mutiny in old companies. Old sergeants under arrest. Go to water just before dinner. No evening drill, but dress parade earlier than usual. Orders read containing sentence of Sergt. Eldrid of Co. B. He was publicly reprimanded before the battalion and sent to his company.

Nov. 4 &emdash; Mounted drill at the gallop. DissatisÞed men willing to let their remonstrance slide. They did not expect that the matter would prove so serious.

Nov. 5 &emdash; Owing to commissary clerk's error we have no beef today. Lieut. Brown and Fish arrive from Halleck. Report snow three feet deep in the mountains.

Nov. 18 &emdash; Been sick for two weeks; not able to do any duty. Bad cold and mountain fever. Took quinine until I was tired of it and quit off and am getting well.

A few nights ago the boys gave an entertainment for the Indians who came to see the colonel. While it was going on, the orderly room caught or was set on Þre and came very near burning down. Our sabre belts were burned and company papers damaged. Co. K ordered to Halleck, to start tomorrow; Florentine to be orderly, me commissary sergeant. Capts. Humfreville and Apt are gone to Denver to get money to pay companies. Martin in hospital.

Nov. 19 &emdash; I conclude to risk the trip to Halleck and see if it will cure me. Help pack up and draw rations. Company starts about ten o'clock, leaving all the cooking utensils to be packed up. Only have three wagons started at about 11; seventeen of the boys left behind on daily duty as escort for the captain. Moved out 19 miles and camped on the Laramie. Weather cold for camping out without tents.

Nov. 20 &emdash; Arise at four and have breakfast and are ready to start by daylight. A sprinkle of snow during the night, not enough to hinder our sleeping well. March 30 miles and camp on the Sabeal. McFaddin and I go on ahead to hunt. See deer and antelope. Had six shots but killed nothing. Traveled over some nice country.

Nov. 21 &emdash; March twelve miles and camp in the canon, a pass in the mountains, where the rocks on one side are Þve hundred feet high. Four of us scrape away about a foot of snow and make our beds together and roll pine logs from the mountains and build a big Þre, then cut brush for a shelter from the wind, which is very strong. Wip and I went hunting back of the rock. Saw 16 deer and each took a running shot. Have a great time getting down to camp, jumping and sliding in drift and out. Saw some signs of bears.

Nov. 22 &emdash; The eight supply teams went ahead yesterday and camped on the Laramie river. Hard work getting teams up out of the canon. Have to hitch ten mules to a wagon. Company pass on, leaving some men behind. March 30 miles over a high rolling prairie on a level with the Þrst range of the Laramie mountains. Weather very cold, with a strong wind. Overtake the foremost team and camp on Rock creek. Not a stick of timber in sight. Shovel away snow for a bedroom. Our company teams not in till dark. Camp behind a bank where the wind is not so strong.

Nov. 23 &emdash; Lieut. Brown and Florentine go on to Halleck. Begin to get into rough country again. See a herd of deer on rocks. Boys try to shoot them but give it up. March 26 miles and camp on Medicine Bow creek in a nice grove. Snow eight inches deep. Lieut. Behymer, Keating, and I go hunting over the bluffs. I get two shots at a deer and break its leg. Go to camp and get my horse, and McFaddin and I follow the deer but to no purpose. Get three more shots at a deer and one at a sage hen, the Þrst I ever saw. Get back to camp at dusk. Boys have a big Þre burning. Sergeant of the guard for the night. Stay up to post the second sentinels and then go to bed.

Nov. 24 &emdash; Up at daylight as usual. Have a bad time crossing the creek. Reach Halleck [26] about ten. Distance from Laramie 125 miles. Have to go into open quarters without bunks, tables, or þoors, the Iowa boys having taken everything out when they heard we were coming. Take everything into our own quarters to keep it from being stolen. Fort Halleck is situated at the foot of Medicine Bow mountain, which is 10,000 feet high. Snow very deep next to the mountains.

Nov. 25 and 26 &emdash; Go hunting. Iowa boys not to leave till our captain comes over from Laramie, November 30. Draw rations for ten days, corn meal and þour.

Dec. 1 &emdash; Ten months since I left home. Fine time at the dance. Six ladies present. Far ahead of Laramie, for there are ladies here but none there. Supper free at midnight. Splendid! Oysters, pies, cakes, peaches, etc. Some Iowa boys try to raise a fuss and run off with the wagon, but are ordered to the guard house.

Issue 130 rations to Curtis for the men at the herd. Our horses sent to herd leaving us nothing to do. Looking for the captain. Begin to think he is snowed in.

Feb. 16, 1865 [27] &emdash; Wagons start to Rock creek. Sergt. Curtis and I start in afternoon. Maxwell lost two mules in the snow. My Þrst time away from fort; like the place tolerably well.

Feb. 17 &emdash; Snowed very hard all day; did not get out to look for cattle. Fisk down for cattle but does not get them without an order, Chryst and Greaney lost; Greaney fell from his mule frozen so badly that he died during the night. Chryst stayed by him till morning. [28]

Feb. 18 &emdash; Curtis and I started out hunting cattle. It was not snowing when we started, but we got caught in a very thick storm about eight miles from camp. Got back safe; went twelve miles down the creek. Saw hundreds of cattle, but no game except wolves and rabbits. Chryst was found about ten miles from the post, badly frozen. Little hopes of his recovery.

Feb. 19 &emdash; Sunday. Was up to ranche with Curtis last night; could not see the road, snowing so hard. Let the mules have their own way. Went down creek and found some of the cattle. Warm and pleasant. Went hunting in the evening. Greaney found frozen solid, and taken to post.

Feb. 20 &emdash; Curtis and I start for Post, driving the cattle. Arrived just as Greaney was being buried.

Feb. 28 &emdash; Muster for pay. Inspection. Issue rations by mess, for Dominique and Koerner. Half the mess leave. Adams has splendid living.

Mar. 1, 1865 &emdash; Glorious news from the East: Charleston ours. Stars and Stripes waving over Fort Sumter. Bad news for our mess; Mr. and Mrs. Adams leaving, going to Big Laramie. Have to go to the company to board; very hard.

March 2 &emdash; Took our last breakfast at Adams'. Had a big time last night; made taffy and had a pleasant time, altho rather melancholy. All sorry to see our landlady leave. Never formed so strong an attachment for strangers before; seemed like home to me. Sergt. Chryst died this morning.

Mar. 3 &emdash; 19 degrees below zero; ground frozen too hard to dig grave. Coach from the east but no mail.

Mar. 4 &emdash; Lieut. Brown back from Platte; chartered coach. Adams compelled to wait for the next one. Cain and Caldwell up from the herd.

Mar. 5 &emdash; No inspection. Helped lower the remains of Sergt. Chryst to their last resting place. Coach in from the east, but no mail. Spent part of the evening at the captains' waiting for western coach.

Mar. 6 &emdash; Issue clothing to company. Grand time at the store. Whiskey in the ascendant. Heavy snow storm going on; no coach from west yet.

Mar. 7 &emdash; Coach down at breakfast time. Go down to store and see them off. Behymer and Florentine going, Behymer to Rock creek and Florentine to the Dale. I bid Mrs. Adams goodbye and a safe journey. Their coach breaks down and they have to go to another one. Pack up clothing and sweep the commissary. Boys back from the herd.

Mar. 8 &emdash; Cold and very stormy. Can not see the mountains for the snow. Hutchinson again in charge of kitchen. No wood in Post; all playing "freeze out." Finish writing to Maggie Bowerman and go to bed under the folds of the Stars and Stripes.

Mar. 9 &emdash; Very stormy, the worst since we came to Halleck. Snow blowing all day; no wood yet; have to tear down old shop for fuel to keep from freezing. Too cold to work, so go to bed to keep warm. No coaches; roads completely blockaded.

Mar. 10 &emdash; Issue rations to company, to hospital, and to boys at herd. Brown's mess broken up; board in company now. They give company sack of beans, peas, and rice; not going to starve. Simpson and Johnson bring in fresh antelope. Prospect of better weather.

Mar. 11 &emdash; Getting up wood. Mail long looked for arrives. Good letters. Four letters and a photo; one from Lide. Good news from Virginia, Early whipped by Sheridan.

Mar. 12 &emdash; Snowing considerably, but pleasant. Company at work cleaning out and repairing stables. Another mail. Great victory: Sherman defeats Johnson, capturing 6,000 prisoners. The end is approaching. Thompson over from Laramie. Indians killing all the stock. Captain Rinehart killed by them.

Mar. 13 &emdash; Make out inventory of the effects of Greaney. Write to Lide and stay up till after midnight.

Mar. 14 &emdash; Coach came up, but no mail, not even papers. Florentine back from Big Laramie. Was near being shot by the outlaw, Jennings. Behymer sick at Rock creek. Company having more to eat. Had splendid roast antelope for dinner. Tomatoes and potatoes for supper.

Mar. 15 &emdash; Behymer back. Coach up. Captain Humfreville's birthday. Jolly time for some people. Splendid dinner, barrin' the hardtack. Have lunch at nine o'clock and write to Amy until bed time. Rumor that Lieut. Brown and captain are ordered home.

Mar. 16 &emdash; Lieut. Jewell, A. D. C. to Gen. Connor, passed down on the coach. Coach up, bringing Denver papers to the 11th.

Mar. 17 &emdash; Went hunting with "Chuff" and Ed Lewis. Walked about twelve miles. Saw jack rabbits and antelope, but could not get a shot. Lieut Brown sick. Gen. Connor [29] stops on his way down, inquiring how matters are at the post.

Mar. 18 &emdash; Odell and Marriot up from the herd.

Mar. 19 &emdash; Sunday. McFaddin goes to Medicine Bow for deer and antelope. I take charge of the kitchen for him. "Chink and daub" the stables.

Mar. 20 &emdash; Issued Odell some cartridges for the boys at herd. Issue rations to company and hospital. Coach came up, but no mail.

Mar. 21 &emdash; Captain and Florentine came back at noon, bringing the herd with them. Horses look rough. Some of the horses left behind, unÞt for service. Caldwell, Odell, and Page in charge. Stable call at reveille and at 5 P. M. Water call at 10 A. M. Coach came up, but mail lost in Cache la Poudre river.

Mar. 22 &emdash; Commence moving corn pile; a great many open sacks and considerable loose corn. Horses sent out to herd.

Mar. 24 &emdash; Mail up at noon, part of it wet.

Mar. 26 &emdash; One year since we arrived at Fort Kearney.

Mar. 28 &emdash; Finish pay rolls and get them signed. Captain ready to start to Denver, but coach is full, so he has to wait. Russell moves to the post to keep mess. Caldwell up from the herd and stays with us.

Mar. 29 &emdash; Capt. Humfreville and Dr. Finfrock [30] start to Denver. Only one passenger inside. Have plenty to do while they are gone. Clean up the quarter master and commissary department. Clear the snow off the corn pile and cover it with canvas, and take inventory of clothing.

April 2 &emdash; Whitcomb over from Laramie; was Þve days coming through the canon. Feel quite "blue" all day.

April 4 &emdash; Sort and issue clothing, then pile corn till recall. Train passes east. Butter for supper, a present from Mrs. Finfrock.

April 5 &emdash; The coldest April weather I ever saw. Balance of the herd brought up with the whole outÞt. One horse died in the stall at stable call. Have a big oyster supper after taps. Odell and Caldwell sleep in my bed; I sleep with Be &emdash; . No coach up today at all.

April 7 &emdash; Received two letters, one from home and one real good one from Lide, with a photo; glad to get it. Letters from Laramie state that rumors say we are going back to Omaha.

April 8 &emdash; L. L. Adams came on coach last night. Glorious news in Denver extra. Richmond captured, Petersburg evacuated by rebels and Grant after them close.

Walked about twelve miles; no game; so snowy I could hardly see.

April 9 &emdash; Sunday. Capt. H. and Dr. F. arrived from Denver. Will be paid off tomorrow. No bounty for veterans; paymaster refused to pay it.

April 10 &emdash; Guard mount for Þrst time here. Guard placed at stable. Have to act as Sergt. Major as I have nothing to do. Receive $93.09. Some of the boys can't pay their debts. Behymer gone to Platte to marry a couple.

April 11 &emdash; Snow very deep. No mail. Behymer back. Beef cattle brought in. Killed one of Foote's oxen by mistake.

April 12 &emdash; Wagons getting ready to go over to Little Laramie for hay. Rumor says that Lee has surrendered.

April 13 &emdash; Caldwell appointed corporal.

April 14 &emdash; Brown gone down the road on business. "Ota" music, Þddles, banjos, and guitars.

April 15 &emdash; Make our requisition for 700 men, one year's rations. Quite a pile, but perhaps will be needed. Make out ordnance returns for Post since Sept. 1864. Orders received from District No. 2.

April 16 &emdash; News of Lee's surrender conÞrmed with more good news. Very fair prospect of an early peace. Hay wagons come back loaded.

April 17 &emdash; Boys that were down the road are nearly blind from snow blindness. I ofÞciated at guard as no ofÞcers were present.

April 18 &emdash; Received a letter containing a gem.

Bad news in the Denver papers. The nation is mourning. The days of the French revolution are upon us. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward assassinated, supposed by rebel emissaries. Burning at stake too mild for assassins' punishment.

April 19 &emdash; Wip and I went hunting. Too stormy to go far; never saw snow come down so before. Three deserters captured and put in guard house; one chained to axle of wagon. They belong to 1st Colorado cavalry. Have a big supper, fruit, oysters, sardines, only $6.25.

April 20 &emdash; Issue rations, all the þour and hardtack.

April 21 &emdash; Coach yesterday brought down mail that had been carried past. A letter from Lide. Eggs at a dollar a dozen for supper. California troops to be here in two or three weeks. Johnson has surrendered.

April 23 &emdash; Sunday. Shotwell and I went hunting over towards the bluffs. Saw one rabbit and one sage hen. Come in nearly blind. News of capture of Mobile received.

April 25 &emdash; Dig ditches to carry off water; had six men in forenoon and four in evening; two "camped" from "imbibing" too freely. News of Mosby's surrender received. Brown and Be &emdash; going to Rock creek. Have to mount guard without help. Lieut. Hawley of Gen. Connor's staff came up on coach.

April 26 &emdash; Keating thrown from his horse at drill. Letters from Laramie speak of more trouble. Crow Indian to be hung. [31]

April 27 &emdash; Brown and Be &emdash; came back at noon. Hay wagons back; all broke down except one.

April 28 &emdash; Slept about ten hours last night, generally about six. Lieut. Hawley gone to Denver; Lt. Brown gone down the road after a deserter. Coach passenger reports commissary train at Cooper's creek. Mooney and "Yank" dismounted without orders on drill.

April 29 &emdash; Lt. Brown back with his man. Receive letter from home, containing news of Grandfather's death. Another heir at Hulls. [32] Father has bought a piece of woodland at Irwin. Captain gave me permission to go to Laramie.

April 30 &emdash; Sunday. Inspection and muster, the largest turnout we have ever had, 67 present. Will, Wip, and I take a walk up towards the mountains; snow ten or Þfteen feet deep. Paper states that Booth is killed. Supply train arrives. Unload twenty wagons; balance in morning.

May 1 &emdash; Finish unloading the supplies and loading the wagons with corn, 2,500 lbs. þour short. Issue 25 days' rations to teamsters. Coach up. Hay teams back. Gen. Hughes here.

May 2 &emdash; Johnson's surrender. Receive letters from "Sorrel," Maggie B. and Bro. John.

May 3 &emdash; Finish Com. papers, pack mess chest and get ready to start tomorrow. Wagon train camped by Russel's. Whitcomb moved up.

May 4 &emdash; Load up and get ready to start for Laramie at nine o'clock. Hutch going after meat. Iowa boys and six of Co. K compose the squad. Run into snow at Sage creek and have to back off. See plenty of game, but too wild to kill. Pass village of Arapahoes on Dry creek. Camp on Rock creek and go hunting, but kill nothing. McCadams, Preston, and Robinson desert.

May 5 &emdash; Covered up with snow. Hard Þnding the road; get lost once and have to turn back. Meet the wagons and afterwards keep the road. Take dinner in Laramie. Had to go around snow and cross above the ford. Deep wading. Snow from six to ten inches deep. Reach the canon about three o'clock. Upset one wagon in canon and have to cross a drift from four to Þfteen feet deep. Camp on prairie. Stand guard till 11:45.

May 6 &emdash; Start from camp at six. Cross over to Sabeal and take dinner at Lone tree. Cross the ridge &emdash; eighteen miles &emdash; no water; get very thirsty. Camp below the mouth of the Chugwater. Grass looks green. Sergt. Meek and Lee nearly blind with snow blindness. Lieuts. Brown and Morrow stand Þrst guard.

May 7 &emdash; Somebody around in the night, rather suspicious, but no visible danger. Three guards wade the river twice but wagons take to the bluffs. Large herds along the river. Reach Laramie at ten. Cross the river, but wagons have to go to bridge. Most of the troops gone after Indians. Two companies Third U. S. arrive, enlisted rebels from Rock Island.

May 8 &emdash; Buy a supply of paper at sutler's from down the river. Go up to a "squaw" camp to get moccasins; Þrst time I have ever been in a lodge. Crow hung in Evans two weeks ago can be seen from the post, "waving in air."

May 9 &emdash; Nearly ready to start back to Halleck, but will not start while it is so cold. Slept on þoor last night. Talked to rebels awhile.

May 10 &emdash; Very tired of the place. Two mules lost and half our outÞt stolen.

May 11 &emdash; Boys hunt mules but do not Þnd them. Load up the wagons with salt, sugar, blankets, apples, etc. Get rations of corn and eight days' rations for ourselves. Drive out and camp at Þrst crossing of Laramie.

May 12 &emdash; Have aching in bones but it wears off before night. Take a last hunt for mules, but can't Þnd them and have to draw two from QM. Lee's family going over in one wagon. Get started about noon. Glad to be off. Wagons take bluff road. I cross Laramie below "Chug." Horses and eight men got wet.

May 13 &emdash; Camp; no guards. Cross the ridge and go hunting. Stay at Lone tree and Þnd Bennett and Baily there. Wait for wagons and go to camp six miles up the Sabeal. Camp where Arapahoes camped.

May 14 &emdash; Go hunting but only see one deer. Go north on bluffs and come into canon at prairie. Camp up near head of canon. Go out south hunting, but no game to be seen, so I amuse myself by rolling stone down mountain. Have dinner and wash up dishes while others go and shovel snow out of roads.

May 15 &emdash; Double teams and get out of canon by noon. Too cold for comfort with overcoat on. Have to walk to keep warm. Laramie high; nearly þoats the wagons. Get across all safe. Camp by big snow drift eight miles from Laramie.

May 16 &emdash; Start out hunting. Shoot one antelope near road. It starts running, but I run it for a mile; it lies down; I shoot again, cut off hams, and overtake wagons. Cross Rock creek. Cripple another antelope but don't get it. Leave wagons and strike Medicine Bow about four miles below road. Supper with Simpson. Take Hutch with me. Camp on Bear creek. Fried antelope, "slap jacks," and molasses.

May 17 &emdash; Arapahoes around thick and more coming. Reach home (Halleck) at noon without accident. Many changes. Russell shot by Jennings. Dr. Finfrock and lady going to leave. Dr. Harstick in charge of hospital. Lt. Behymer and squad down the road. Post looks clean and nice. Got seven letters. Good.

May 18 &emdash; Squad brought up Bob North, now in guard house. Dr. F. and lady gone. Seems like Post is nearly deserted. Indians swarming. Arapahoes a-plenty. Give them rations and corn.

May 19 [33] &emdash; Issue rations to Arapahoes. They want everything in the commissary. Emigrants passing. Some camp close.

May 20 [34] &emdash; Keating and Wilson want to be transferred to engineer's corps. Jennings brought in by Comstock and the Arapahoe scouts. Desperate looking man. Jeff Davis reported captured.

May 21 &emdash; Sunday. Jennings tried; pleads guilty of shooting Olds and killing Russell. Sentenced to be hanged immediately. Sentence executed between one and two. He did not repent at all: said that he did murder Russell and was not sorry for it. He remarked that he was going to Hell a-whooping, but as he was good at Þnding trails, he would look for a trail to Heaven. His last words were: "Hurrah for Jeff Davis and the Southern confederacy." Next moment he was swinging about twenty-Þve feet in the air. Cut down an hour later.

Give Indians a large quantity of corn. Plenty of them around, big, little, old, and young.

May 22 &emdash; Have sale of Jenning's effects; amount to nearly $800; proceeds to go to Mrs. Russell. One pony sold for $240. Drove of 4,000 or 5,000 sheep go past, going from New Mexico to California. Trade with an Arapahoe chief for a buffalo robe.

May 23 &emdash; Hear that Capt. Humfreville is mustered out of service. Several small trains pass. Dr. Smith from Ft. Collins here. Dr. Finfrock writes that Co. L is at Julesburg on the way home, and that Co. I and K will follow soon.

May 24 &emdash; Odell, Caldwell, and Pumpelly on the mountain. Wagons go down the road with corn. Write out copy of charges and proceedings against Jennings. Make out descriptive roll of Keating and Wilson.

May 25 &emdash; Lieut. Drake up from Ft. Collins. Went back on evening coach. Fine drill today. Charlie Stout "Dismounted without orders." First ox train passes up. Play ball after supper.

May 26 &emdash; Had a good drill. Some of the horses very bad to ride; one down several times. Capt. Brown came down. Says his men will be in soon. California boys came in after dinner; look like they have seen hard times. Seem clever, [35] good sort of fellows. Issue rations to teamsters. Music and dancing in quarters.

May 27 &emdash; Issue rations to California boys; no trouble; agree well. They are from all states. Went down and visited with them this evening.

May 28 &emdash; Beautiful evening, everything seems so fresh and growing. Busy all day issuing rations and forage to California boys and teamsters.

May 29 &emdash; California boys leave for Cache la Poudre. [36] Trains passing up don't like to pay toll.

May 30 &emdash; Have Þne drill; charge through mud and brush and close up well. Splendid fun.

May 31 &emdash; Monthly inspection. Company looks very well. Inspection of horses and equipment. Some of the men charged with equipments lost. I take as correct an inventory of stores as possible.

June 1 &emdash; Mail stopped at Rock creek by high water; bridge gone. Coach and team lost in Platte; one man drowned. Sale of Russell's property.

June 2 &emdash; Messenger down from Platte for assistance; says Indians are running off stock and killing station keepers. Lt. Brown and thirty men go up to see what the trouble is. Captain gone to Rock creek. Halleck looks rather deserted.

June 3 &emdash; Lieut. James A. Brown writes that he has found two dead men; will go on till he opens the road. Captain up from below. Judge Kinney and other notables go up on coach, escort of four men with them.

June 4 &emdash; Sergt. McFaddin and ten men to wait as escort for Colfax.

June 5 &emdash; First coach escort back. Bring no news from north of river. Was up to emigrant camp last night. Nothing going on at post. Dull.

June 6 &emdash; Lieut. Brown, Florentine, and nine men back; others stationed at different stations north of the Platte. Colfax, Bross, Richardson, [37] and Otis came up with the escort from Co. F. Lt. Behymer went with them. Great bear chase. About forty shots Þred, Þfteen of which took effect. Bear steak for supper.

June 7 &emdash; Write letters to Capt. Cochrane. Issue rations to Dominique. Behymer back; Sergt. Brown going up to take charge of the men. Martin writes that Þve Indians were seen near Sulphur Springs.

June 8 &emdash; Bodine and Stewart killed at Sage creek. Caldwell and Wilson wounded. One citizen killed. Duckett and citizen missing. [38] Large trains passing up; some women. Captain organizes the train and passes them on. Brown and Gregory go up on coach.

Three years ago tonight I was lying on battleÞeld at Cross Keyes. I go down to Whitcomb's teepa. See young elk, a pretty animal. "Mountain dew" in the ascendant.

June 9 &emdash; Large trains passing up, and Mormon train going down. Cooper leaves with [omission]. I get permission to take a ride and go down to Medicine Bow. Have a dance with the Mormon ladies, "Brighamites" and "Josephites." Get up from Mormon camp about midnight.

June 10 &emdash; Escort back from up the road, bringing the boys that were killed and Caldwell and Wilson. Boys look very bad; faces all bruised and black. Thirteen wounds in Bodine and eight in Stewart. We bury them in one grave, with honors of war; six rounds Þred over the grave. The colonel shot the chief, as they suppose, when quite near them, as the pursuit was ended by his death. All the boys but three back. Indians seen on this side of the river.

June 11 &emdash; Got a pass and with Curtis and Maxwell go to Medicine Bow. Stop at Mormon train, then go down to station and across to emigrants' camp. Get "home" about 11 P. M. Have quite a talk with the ladies.

June 12 &emdash; Warm; mosquitoes very bad; almost eat a fellow up. Captain Posy and Stephenson and Merrid going to Platte on coach. False bear alarm by a mule. No trains passing; all stop at Medicine Bow. Race up at stations between Badkin's pony and Behymer's. Be &emdash; 's horse won &emdash; $25. Citizens stopping till the road is opened.

June 13 &emdash; Take a ride with Behymer; meet train. Behymer found an old acquaintance from Ohio and had a long talk with him. Beauvais train camps with Whitcomb. Buy seventeen beaver skins of a trapper for only $59.

June 14 &emdash; Captain back from up the road; uneasy about Brown's squad; nothing heard of them for Þve days. Captain ordered to Laramie, but goes up the road with eleven men passengers armed with muskets. Behymer saw two Indians this side of Pass creek. We move into commissary and fortify.

June 15 &emdash; Was on mounted patrol all night; did not go to bed at all. No alarm. Sleep all forenoon and go hunting in the evening. See no Indians but plenty of sage hens and antelope. Have Whitcomb's glass and can see all over the country. Trains camping on Pass creek. Hear that Duckett is safe; greatly surprised.

June 16 &emdash; Cold and disagreeable; snowing nearly all day. Went up to Pass creek. Saw that the train was organized; over a hundred wagons altogether. Eight of the boys down from Sulphur Springs. Report that Indians have stolen stage's stock below Rock creek. Mormons camped by Q. M. stable today.

June 17 &emdash; Coach from below; no trouble yet. False reports yesterday. Orders received for us to go to Laramie as soon as relieved here.

June 18 &emdash; Apt and some of the boys down. Ten of the boys left at Sulphur. Evacuate our fortiÞcations and return to quarters again. Don't fear any attack now. Colorado boys up from forage. Boys anxious to go to Laramie.

June 19 &emdash; Col. Potter and Capt. Cochrane came up last night. Have regular guard mount again. Issue corn to Colorado boys. Paper states that all volunteers are to be discharged immediately. F boys Þre on Arapahoes.

June 20 &emdash; Capt. Wilson with a squad of Colorado boys came up. Very busy all day making inventory and counting everything in Q. M. Dept.

June 21 &emdash; Lieut. Brown with escort gone up to Sulphur. Capt. Cochrane gone back to Denver. Train attacked at Pass creek. Arapahoes up for rations.

June 22 &emdash; Alarm early in morning. Stage stock run off from Elk mountain by Indians. Our boys ran after them but could not catch them. Train Þred on four miles below the fort. Issue rations to Indians. Arapahoes come up and say that Cheyennes will be here in the morning.

June 23 &emdash; Alarm at midnight. All move into corral. McFaddin and I went up to the station and had all come down. Several of us went scouting over the bluffs, saw signs of Indians but could not see Indians with a good glass. Beeshaw's herd stolen; saw old and young elk; chased a young antelope. Indians seen on bluffs during evening; squad out.

June 24 &emdash; Slept in commissary last night; no alarm of any kind. Move back to quarters. Col. Plumb and Lieuts. Thornton and Booth of the 11th Kansas came up. Lieut. Brown with all the boys but four came down; expect to leave Wednesday. Emigrant train camped close by.

June 25 &emdash; Sunday. Fine inspection for our last one at Fort Halleck. Went up to train and had a talk with ladies. Commence turning over stores. Sergt. Florentine and squad going up after the boys at Sulphur Springs. Burns shot horse for throwing him.

June 26 &emdash; Issue rations to company for last time. Three companies of the 11th Kansas came in. Boys packing up getting ready to start.

June 27 &emdash; Commissary turned over. Move out and give possession of ofÞce. All boys in once more.

June 28 &emdash; Load the wagons and move down about three-fourths of a mile and camp. Mr. and Mrs. Adams camped near us, on their way to Bannock; likely see them no more. Caldwell left in hospital, not quite able for trip. Will drive cattle to kill on road.

June 29 &emdash; Leave Halleck at reveille. Wagons heavily loaded